Hogwarts: I Am an Exemplary Wizard

"Alright, you can see for yourself once we’re on the train." Professor McGonagall said, "We need to hurry over now."

Kael, although reluctant, could only drag his heavy steps slowly towards the train under Professor McGonagall’s sharp gaze, while praying in his heart for the train to leave quickly, even before he got on board.

Professor McGonagall didn’t rush him, just watched from inside the carriage.

Perhaps she had given prior notice, because this time the Hogwarts Express was departing particularly slowly, the whistle had sounded twice but it still stood there, motionless.

"Hey, Kael, over here!" Ron leaned out from the train window, waving enthusiastically, "No need to see us off, we’ll meet again at Christmas... huh?"

He watched as Kael ignored him and leisurely boarded the train.

In the next second, all the train doors snapped shut, and with the third whistle, the train finally started moving.

"Oh, wait, Kael just got on!" Ron asked in confusion.

"Yes, you saw right," Hermione replied.

"Maybe he forgot he’s already graduated," Ginny whispered, "Fred told me before that whenever he comes to see us off, he always has the urge to get on the train... Kael just graduated; he could have forgotten for a moment."

"Makes sense."

"Then let’s quickly find him, Ginny, could you please help us find a compartment?" Harry immediately pulled his head back inside from the window, "The train hasn’t gone far yet, he has enough time to return to the platform."

The corridor was crowded with people and luggage. Harry hardly managed to squeeze through, but when he finally reached the door, Kael had already disappeared.

People were everywhere around, and Harry searched for a long time but couldn’t find him.

"Looks like he’s realized," Ron said, "Let’s head back."

Harry thought for a moment and agreed it made sense.

Kael could Apparate, so maybe by now he’s already returned to the platform.

He leaned out from the nearby window, looking towards the platform, but just then the train turned a bend, obscuring the view of the platform.

"Don’t worry, it’s Kael after all," Hermione wasn’t too concerned, "No, the corridor’s too crowded, Ron, we need to help maintain order."

"Why do I have to do such unnecessary things?" Ron muttered.

He didn’t want to chase those younger students around; he just wanted to have a long-awaited game of Wizard Chess with Harry in the compartment.

"Because you’re a prefect!" Hermione said without giving him a choice, dragging him towards the prefects’ compartment.

Incidentally, she was the Head Girl this year, responsible for assigning tasks to all the prefects.

However, the Head Boy wasn’t Ron; it was a boy from Ravenclaw.

After they left, Harry stood alone for a while.

He kept feeling that Kael was still on the train because he hadn’t seen anyone Apparate inside the compartment.

Could it be that the crowd was too thick, blocking the view?

Harry wondered with curiosity, and only when Hermione and Ron were far away did he shake his head, dismiss the thoughts, and head toward the rear of the train.

Hermione was right about one thing: he didn’t really need to worry about Kael; even if Kael ended up going to Hogwarts, he could come back anytime.

He might as well think about whether Ginny has found an empty compartment.

Hopefully, she has found one, and... there isn’t anyone else there.

For some reason, Harry wished for this to be true, knowing Ron and Hermione wouldn’t return until after noon; if the compartment was empty, he and Ginny could have a long time alone together.

Harry couldn’t help but quicken his pace...

Meanwhile, in a plain compartment, Kael had just walked in to see Professor Flitwick reading a book and Professor Sprout fiddling with a flowerpot.

"Long time no see, Kael," Professor Sprout looked up and said, "I always regret leaving early from Remus’s wedding, luckily everyone was alright."

"Please don’t say that, Professor, after all, none of us expected the Death Eater attack," Kael replied, "But speaking of which, what does Professor Dumbledore want from me?"

"Why, hasn’t Minerva given you the letter?" Professor Flitwick asked.

"She did, but I haven’t had a chance to read it," Kael said, "I have a feeling it’s not something good."

"No need to worry, it’s not that scary," Professor Sprout said with a smile, "It’s just that you’re to disguise as him for the opening ceremony."

...